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WO2015017739A1 - Ensemble virole de fibre optique repliable - Google Patents

Ensemble virole de fibre optique repliable Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015017739A1
WO2015017739A1 PCT/US2014/049316 US2014049316W WO2015017739A1 WO 2015017739 A1 WO2015017739 A1 WO 2015017739A1 US 2014049316 W US2014049316 W US 2014049316W WO 2015017739 A1 WO2015017739 A1 WO 2015017739A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
ferrule
component
optical fiber
groove
assembly
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2014/049316
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Shuhe LI
Robert Ryan VALLANCE
Gregory L. KLOTZ
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nanoprecision Products Inc
Original Assignee
Nanoprecision Products Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nanoprecision Products Inc filed Critical Nanoprecision Products Inc
Publication of WO2015017739A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015017739A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
    • G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
    • G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
    • G02B6/3834—Means for centering or aligning the light guide within the ferrule
    • G02B6/3838—Means for centering or aligning the light guide within the ferrule using grooves for light guides
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
    • G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
    • G02B6/381—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres
    • G02B6/3826—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres characterised by form or shape
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
    • G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
    • G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
    • G02B6/3834—Means for centering or aligning the light guide within the ferrule
    • G02B6/3838—Means for centering or aligning the light guide within the ferrule using grooves for light guides
    • G02B6/3839—Means for centering or aligning the light guide within the ferrule using grooves for light guides for a plurality of light guides
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
    • G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
    • G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
    • G02B6/3855—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture characterised by the method of anchoring or fixing the fibre within the ferrule
    • G02B6/3858—Clamping, i.e. with only elastic deformation
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
    • G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
    • G02B6/3873—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls
    • G02B6/3885—Multicore or multichannel optical connectors, i.e. one single ferrule containing more than one fibre, e.g. ribbon type
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
    • Y10T29/4984—Retaining clearance for motion between assembled parts

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to optical fiber connectors, in particular ferrules in optical fiber connectors.
  • optical signal transmission requires coupling of optical fibers in an end-to-end relationship, with the coupling being one source of light loss.
  • an optical fiber connector terminates the end of a cable that contains one or multiple fibers, and enables quicker connection and disconnection than splicing to another connector holding the end of another cable.
  • the connectors mechanically couple and align the cores of fibers so that light can pass end-to-end. Better connectors lose very little light due to reflection or misalignment of the fibers.
  • Connectors, in both parallel/multiple fiber and single fiber links, operating at multi-gigabit rates must be assembled with subcomponents fabricated with sub- micron precision (i.e., a tolerance of less than 1000 nm). As if producing parts with such precision levels were not challenging enough, for the resulting end product to be economical it must be done in a fully automated, very high-speed process.
  • U.S. Patent No. 7,311 ,449 commonly assigned to the assignee-applicant of the present invention, discloses various embodiments of ferrules that can be mass produced cost effectively by stamping. Some of those ferrules are configured for optical alignment without using alignment pins, relying solely on the alignment sleeves to provide alignment of the precisely shaped ferrules.
  • 13/440,970 discloses a ferrule having an open structure that has precision features formed thereon, namely open fiber clamping grooves, which can securely clamp the optical fibers without the need for epoxy or a complementary precision part.
  • the width of the longitudinal opening defined between the lips along at least a section of the grooves is narrower than the diameter of the optical fibers to create a tight fit (e.g., an interference fit) with respect to the fibers, which allows the terminating end section of an optical fiber to be inserted laterally into the longitudinal opening of the groove, but which snuggly retains the optical fiber in the groove.
  • the present invention provides further improvements in ferrule designs, which provide ease of use and high reliability, and which can be fabricated at low cost.
  • FIG. 1 A illustrates a perspective view of a foldover optical fiber ferrule assembly in an open position in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. IB illustrates the ferrule assembly in a slightly folded position
  • FIG. 1C illustrates the ferrule assembly in a closed or completely folded position
  • FIG. ID is a sectional view taken along line ID- ID in FIG. 1C
  • FIG IE is a sectional view taken along line IE-IE in Fig. ID.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a foldover optical fiber ferrule assembly in a closed position in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a foldover optical fiber ferrule assembly in a closed position in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a foldover optical fiber ferrule assembly in an open position in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 4B illustrates the ferrule assembly in a closed or completely folded position
  • FIG. 4C is a sectional view taken along line 4C-4C in FIG. 4B.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates an optical fiber connector incorporating the inventive foldover optical fiber ferrule assembly.
  • the present invention provides a ferrule assembly for an optical fiber connector, which improves on current ferrules.
  • the ferrule assembly in accordance with the present invention provides ease of use and high reliability, and it can be fabricated at low cost.
  • the ferrule assembly comprises a first ferrule component and a second ferrule component that is coupled to the first ferrule component by a web or tether of reduced thickness, wherein the web is flexible to allow folding the web to fold the second ferrule component over the groove in the first ferrule component.
  • An optical alignment feature is defined on at least one of the first ferrule component and the second ferrule component for optical alignment (e.g., aligning a section of an optical fiber).
  • At least one of the first ferrule component and the second ferrule component is provided with a structured surface defining features for optical alignment
  • the optical alignment features include one or more open grooves for receiving a section of an optical fiber (e.g., the terminating end section of an optical fiber). The section of the optical fiber is retained in the groove between the two ferrule components.
  • the optical alignment feature is defined in the first ferrule component, comprising a groove having a longitudinal opening, which is sized to receive and securely retain a section of an optical fiber in the groove by clamping the section of the optical fiber.
  • the second ferrule component is a plate, which when folded over the groove in the first ferrule component, opposes and covers the groove in the first ferrule component.
  • the alignment feature includes similar grooves provided in the first ferrule component for receiving an alignment guide pin.
  • the first ferrule component and the second ferrule component may be structured as two complementary ferrule halves, each with a complementary groove that together retain the section of an optical fiber and/or an alignment guide pin.
  • the ferrule assembly is precision formed by high throughput processes, such as stamping and extrusion.
  • at least the first ferrule component is formed by stamping to define the geometries of its external body and groove.
  • the entire ferrule assembly is formed by stamping to define the geometries of the first ferrule component, the second ferrule component and the interconnecting web.
  • the ferrule in accordance with the present invention further improves the current ferrule designs, which can be incorporated in an optical fiber connector to result in low insertion loss and low return loss, and which provides ease of use and high reliability with low environmental sensitivity, and which can be fabricated at low cost.
  • the ferrule assembly comprises a first ferrule component and a second ferrule component that is coupled to the first ferrule component by a web or tether of reduced thickness, wherein the web is flexible to allow folding the web to fold the second ferrule component over the groove in the first ferrule component.
  • An optical alignment feature is defined on at least one of the first ferrule component and the second ferrule component for optical alignment (e.g., aligning a section of an optical fiber).
  • At least one of the first ferrule component and the second ferrule component is provided with a structured surface defining features for optical alignment
  • the optical alignment features include one or more open grooves for receiving a section of an optical fiber (e.g., the terminating end section of an optical fiber). The section of the optical fiber is retained in the groove between the two ferrule components.
  • the ferrule assembly comprises a first ferrule component having a structured surface defining features for optical alignment (e.g., aligning a section of an optical fiber), and a second ferrule component that is coupled to the first ferrule component by a web or tether of reduced thickness (as compared to the thickness of the first and second ferrule components), wherein the web is flexible to allow folding the web to fold the second ferrule component over the groove in the first ferrule component.
  • the optical alignment features includes one or more open grooves for receiving a section of an optical fiber (e.g., the terminating end section of an optical fiber).
  • the section of the optical fiber is retained in the groove between the two ferrule components.
  • FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a foldover optical fiber ferrule assembly 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the ferrule assembly 10 is shown in its opened or unfolded position. It comprises a first ferrule component 12 and a second ferrule component 14 interconnected by strips of thin webs 16 extending between adjacent edges of the first and second ferrule components 12 and 14.
  • the thickness of the webs 16 are significantly less than the thickness of the first and second ferrule components 12 and 14, to be flexible and bendable.
  • the webs 16 and the first and second ferrule components 12 and 14 may be an integral, monolithic and/or unitary structure (i.e., a continuum without any connection interfacing surface structure; e.g., formed by die casting, etching, molding, powder
  • the web 16 may be formed by molding a plastic over the first and second ferrule components 12 and 14, by a process generally known as over-molding.
  • the first and second ferrule components 12 and 14 are each generally in the shape of a plate, with surface features defined on at least the opposing sides (22, 24) between the first and second components 12 and 14 (when they are in a folded over position shown in FIG. 1C). In the opened unfolded position shown in FIG. 1A, the surface features are defined on the same side of the overall ferrule assembly 10.
  • the webs 16 extend between the sides 22 and 24 of the first and second ferrule components 12 and 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the webs 16 are parallel, spaced thin narrow strips, bridging a continuous surface between sides 22 and 24. Instead of two webs as shown, a single strip of web may be provided, or more than two strips of web may be provided.
  • the optical alignment feature defined at one side 22 (e.g., a major planar surface) of the body of the first ferrule component 12 comprises at least a groove 18 having a longitudinal opening, which is sized to receive and securely retain a section of an optical fiber 20 in the groove 18 by clamping the section of the optical fiber 20.
  • the groove 18 is sized to receive the terminating end section of the optical fibers 20 (bare sections of the optical fibers 20, with cladding exposed, without protective buffer and jacket layers). The structure of the grooves 18 will be elaborated further below.
  • FIG 1A there are a plurality of grooves 18 provided at the surface section 23 of the side 22 near one edge of the first ferrule component 12, which receive the bare terminating end sections of an array of optical fibers 20 from a fiber cable (e.g., a flat ribbon 30 shown in FIG. IB). Further, a shallow recess 32 is defined on the side 22, to provide a space to receive the sleeve 31 of the fiber ribbon 30 (i.e., the protective fiber cable jacket) (see also FIG. IB).
  • a fiber cable e.g., a flat ribbon 30 shown in FIG. IB
  • a shallow recess 32 is defined on the side 22, to provide a space to receive the sleeve 31 of the fiber ribbon 30 (i.e., the protective fiber cable jacket) (see also FIG. IB).
  • Part of a section of the sleeve 31 of the fiber ribbon 30 is received within the recess 32, which provides additional room to accommodate the thickness of the sleeve 31 and the protective buffer and jacket layers on the fibers 20 within the section of the sleeve 31 received in the recess 32.
  • the surface feature defined on the side 24 of the body of the second ferrule component 14 is a matching shallow recess 34, to provide a space to receive the remaining part of the section of the sleeve 31 of the fiber ribbon 30 received in the recess 34.
  • the side 24 of the second ferrule component 14 is not provided with grooves for optical fibers.
  • the matching/mating surface 25 on the side 24 near one edge of the second ferrule component 14 is flat, acting to cover the grooves 18 on the first ferrule component 12 when the second ferrule component 14 is folded over to oppose the groove in the first ferrule component 12 (see also FIGS. IB and 1C).
  • the second ferrule component 14 includes raised flanges 26 along its opposing side edges.
  • FIG. IB illustrates the ferrule assembly in a slightly folded position. In this configuration, it resembles an open "clamshell" structure.
  • Each thin web 16 is bent from its plane, to form a fold 17 along each strip of web 16.
  • one or more scribe lines may be provided to facilitate bending/folding of the web.
  • certain sections of the web 16 may be thinned (e.g., at the section of the strip of web 16 between the attachment points to the first and second ferrule components 12 and 14) to facilitate bending of the web 16.
  • FIG. 1C illustrates the ferrule assembly in a closed or completely folded position, with a view from the underside of the first ferrule component 12.
  • FIG. ID is a sectional view taken along line ID- ID in the folded position shown in FIG. 1C.
  • FIG IE is a sectional view taken along line IE-IE in Fig. ID.
  • the second ferrule component 14 is completely folded over the first ferrule component 12, with the sides 22 and 24 of the first and second ferrule components 12 and 14 in opposing relationship, and in mating relationship other than at the recesses 32 and 34 and at the grooves 18. In this configuration, it resembles a closed
  • the section of fiber ribbon sleeve 31 is retained within the opposing recesses 32 and 34.
  • the raised flanges 26 on the second ferrule component 14 are fitted over and mated against opposing side edges of first ferrule component 12, preferably by means of an interference fit or snap fit, to form a fastening/latching means to securely keep the first and second ferrule components 12 and 14 in the folded over position shown in FIGS. 1C -IE.
  • a slight draft angle may be provided on the opposing side walls of the first ferrule component (i.e., a taper diverging towards the second ferrule component 14) and a complementary taper of the flange 26 on the second ferrule component (diverging towards the first ferrule component 12) provide a snap coupling of the first and second ferrule components 12 and 14.
  • scribe lines may be provided on the web 16 at or near the attachment points to facilitate removing the web 16 from the first and second ferrule components 12 and 14 after folding the second ferrule component 14 over the first ferrule component 12 to the closed position shown in FIG. 1C.
  • the snap coupling is based on features defined on the first and second ferrule components 12 and 14.
  • the first ferrule component 12 has an open structure that has precision features formed thereon, namely open fiber clamping grooves, which can securely clamp the optical fibers without the need for epoxy or a complementary precision part.
  • the grooves and the width of the longitudinal groove openings are shaped and sized to retain the fibers without any clearance to allow for movement of the optical fibers 20 relative to the groove 18.
  • the first ferrule component 12 has a body having a plurality of open grooves 18 formed in parallel on one surface thereof for receiving and clamping the terminating end sections of optical fibers.
  • the grooves 18 are structured to securely retain the fibers 20 (bare sections with cladding exposed, without protective buffer and jacket layers) by clamping the fibers 20, e.g., by an interference fit (or press fit).
  • an interference fit or press fit
  • interference refers to the dimensional relationship between mating parts, which is beyond the dimensional tolerances of individual parts. Tolerance is an intended limit to dimensional variations or deviations from a nominal dimension in connection with the fabrication of a part by a controlled process. The actual dimension would be within the tolerance range about the nominal dimension. In contrast, interference is achieved by intentionally sizing and shaping at least one of two mating parts with intended nominal dimensions to provide the desired interference fit between the two mating parts. There would be fabrication tolerances for the nominal dimensions that are intended to achieve the intended interference. In other words, even if there is zero tolerance in the fabrication process, the actual dimensions would then be the nominal dimensions of the mating parts, which would still result in the interference as intended. The interference fit assures that the fibers 20 are clamped in place and consequently the position and orientation of the fibers is set by the location and parallelism of the grooves 18.
  • the grooves 18 in the body of the first ferrule component 12 may be generally U-shaped channels each having approximately parallel walls extending from a semicircular bottom.
  • the distance between the parallel walls of a groove 18 is sized to be slightly less than the diameter of the optical fiber 20 (bare fiber with cladding exposed, without protective buffer and jacket layers) to provide interference fit.
  • the diameter of the optical fibers refers to the diameter of the bare fiber with cladding exposed without protective buffer and jacket layers, e.g., 125 ⁇ .
  • This interference fit alone can be sufficient to securely clamp the ends of the fibers 20 within the grooves 18.
  • At least a section of the longitudinal opening of the groove is provided with opposing lips to provide a clamping effect.
  • the width of the longitudinal opening defined between the lips/edges of the grooves 18 is made slightly narrower than the diameter of the bare sections of the optical fibers 20 to create a tight interference fit to snuggly retain the optical fibers 20.
  • the opening is defined by lips formed at the opposing
  • the magnitude of interference can be set by the manufacturing process so that loading the fiber into the groove causes elastic deformation or minor plastic deformation in the lip.
  • the grooves should not be plastically deformed, otherwise it will affect the accuracy of the fiber locations.
  • the terminating end section of the fibers 20 are pressed lengthwise into the grooves 18 through the longitudinal openings with a snap action (i.e., not in the axial direction of the grooves), with the tip of the fibers 20 slightly protruding beyond the end face of the ferrule component body.
  • the width of the longitudinal openings and the grooves 18 are sized and shaped to snuggly retain the section of optical fibers 20 in the grooves 18 without providing any clearance for axial and lateral movements of the end face of the fibers relative to the grooves to ensure tight tolerance for optical coupling between end faces of two adjoining fibers. No epoxy would be required for retaining the bare fiber sections in the grooves given the interference along the mating surfaces between the fibers 20 and the grooves 18.
  • the contact pressure resulting from the interference between the groove and fiber should not exceed the strength of the fiber. It should only be great enough to retain the fiber and generate friction that opposes axial sliding motion of the fibers within the grooves. Only a few micrometers of interference is necessary. In general, the interference is less than a few micrometers, more typically one or two micrometers.
  • the second ferrule component 14 does not need to be formed with as high tolerance as the first ferrule component 12.
  • the second ferrule component 14 does not contribute to defining the lateral spacing of the optical fiber 20.
  • the grooves 18 in the above-described embodiments are sized to self-retain by clamping the terminating bare sections of the optical fibers
  • the grooves 18 may be formed to retain the terminating end sections of the optical fibers 20 without clamping such sections (e.g., not self-retaining).
  • the grooves 18 may be formed with a close tolerance (without interference fit) in U-shaped or deep V-shaped in the first ferrule component 12, and rely on the opposing surface 25 of the second ferrule component 14 to cover the grooves to tightly retain the bare section of the optical fibers 20 in the grooves.
  • the grooves would still provide alignment of the lateral spacing of the optical fibers.
  • FIG. 1 provides grooves 18 only on the first ferrule component 12, it is contemplated that in an alternate embodiment, complementary half-grooves (e.g., grooves of semi-circular and/or V-shaped cross-section) may be provided on opposing sides 23 and 25 of the first and second ferrule components 12 and 14, to form a complete closed groove to securely retain the terminating end sections of optical fibers 20 (bare sections of the optical fibers 20, with cladding exposed, without protective buffer and jacket layers). See also embodiment of FIG. 2 discussed below.
  • complementary half-grooves e.g., grooves of semi-circular and/or V-shaped cross-section
  • latches by means of flanges 26 are provided only on the second ferrule component 14, it is contemplated that raised flanges may be provided instead on the first ferrule component 12 to fit over the edges of the second ferrule component 14, or raised flanges may be provided partially on the first and second ferrule components 12 and 14.
  • Other means of fastening or latching may be implemented, including external clips to keep the first and second ferrule components 12 and 14 in the closed position.
  • the webs 16 are illustrated to be provided at the adjacent end or back edges (perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fiber ribbon 30) of the first and second ferrule components, it is contemplated that the webs may be provided along adjacent lateral side edges (parallel to the longitudinal direction of the fiber ribbon 30) of the first and second ferrule components 12 and 14.
  • the one-piece ferrule assembly in its closed position forms a ferrule for optical fibers.
  • the one-piece design facilitates ease of use to affix the end sections of an array of optical fibers of a fiber ribbon to a ferrule (in this case a ferrule formed by a ferrule assembly in accordance with the present invention).
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate further embodiments of ferrule assemblies.
  • the first ferrule component and the second ferrule component may be two complementary ferrule halves, each with a complementary groove that together retain the section of an optical fiber and/or an alignment guide pin.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a foldover optical fiber ferrule assembly 110 in a closed position in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
  • the first and second ferrule components 112 and 114 of the ferrule assembly 110 are externally shaped with an overall generally oval cross-section.
  • the geometry of the ferrule components have been disclosed in U.S. Patent Applicant No. 13/861,375 (published as counterpart WO 2014/011283).
  • webs 116 are provided at the adjacent end or back edges of the first and second ferrule components 112 and 114, in similar manner as the web 16 in the previous embodiment shown in Fig. 1 A.
  • each of the first and second ferrule components 112 and 114 are provided with open half grooves 118, which combine to form a round closed groove to retain the bare termination section of the optical fibers 20.
  • the surface features of the opposing sides of the first and second ferrule components 112 and 114 may be similar to those of the ferrule assembly 10 in the previous embodiment shown in FIG. 1 A.
  • recesses are provided at the opposing sides of the first and second ferrule components 112 and 114 to define a space to receive the sleeve 31 of the fiber ribbon 30.
  • Raised flanges 126 may also be provided along the lateral edges of the first and second ferrule components 112 and 114.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a foldover optical fiber ferrule assembly 210 in a closed position in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.
  • the first and second ferrule components 212 and 214 of the ferrule assembly 210 are externally shaped similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1A.
  • the particular geometry of the ferrule components have been disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 13/440,970 (Published as US2012/0257860A1).
  • webs 216 are provided at the adjacent end or back edges of the first and second ferrule components 212 and 214, in similar manner as the web 16 in the previous embodiment shown in Fig. 1 A.
  • raised flanges 26 on the second ferrule component 14 in the embodiment of FIG. 1A raised flanges 226 are provided on the first ferrule component 212 in the present embodiment.
  • a raised platform 225 is provided in the second ferrule component 214, to define a surface (similar to surface 25 in the embodiment of FIG. 1A) to cover the open grooves 218 on the first ferrule component 212.
  • the grooves 218 may be similarly structured as grooves 18 in the previous embodiment of FIG. 1A.
  • the raised platform 225 fits between the raised flanges 226, with an interference or snap fit. Further, the flanges 226 are wide enough to be provided with grooves 251 , to receive alignment guide pins 250.
  • Each groove 251 has a longitudinal opening, and each groove is structured (i.e., sized and shaped) to securely retain an alignment pin 250 in the groove by clamping the alignment pin 250 (much in a similar manner as clamping the bare terminating end section of optical fibers 20 in grooves 218).
  • the surface features of the opposing sides of the first and second ferrule components 212 and 214 may be similar to those of the ferrule assembly 10 in the previous embodiment shown in FIG. 1A.
  • recesses are provided at the opposing sides of the first and second ferrule components 212 and 214 to define a space to receive the sleeve 31 of the fiber ribbon 30.
  • the grooves and/or external geometry of the ferrule assemblies described above are precision formed by high throughput stamping process.
  • at least the first ferrule component is formed by stamping to define the geometries of its external body and groove.
  • the entire ferrule assembly is formed by stamping to define the geometries of the first ferrule component, the second ferrule component and the interconnecting web in a continuous stamping operation on a stock material (e.g., a strip of metal/alloy blank or stock). This produces a single part, which is efficient for subsequent parts handling.
  • the geometry of the overall structure of the ferrule assembly can be precisely defined.
  • the spacing of the grooves and the position of the grooves with respect to the exterior surface of the first ferrule component are precisely defined. Accordingly, the array of optical fibers held by the ferrule assembly can be precisely aligned to the ends of another array of optical fibers held by another similar formed ferrule assembly by using a sleeve, without having to use alignment guide pins (i.e., alignment is achieved by the sleeve acting on the external structure of the ferrule assembly).
  • the web between the two ferrule components is made by an over-molding process.
  • the first and second ferrule components can be stamped on a carrier strip, and the carrier strip is then fed with the first and second ferrule components into an injection molding machine.
  • the web would be molded over the ferrule components and allowed to cool. This provides a more compliant web that will not yield or break when bent.
  • FIGS. 4A-4C the further benefits of precision stamping a modified embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1E to provide complementary grooves 18' on both the sides 23' and 25' of the first and second ferrule components 12' and 14' is explained.
  • FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a foldover optical fiber ferrule assembly 10' in an opened position in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the ferrule assembly 10' in the closed position.
  • FIG. 4C is a sectional view.
  • the first and second ferrule components 12' and 14' of the ferrule assembly 10' are structured generally similar to the ferrule assembly 10 in FIG. 1A.
  • webs 16' are provided at the adjacent end or back edges of the first and second ferrule components 12' and 14', in a similar manner as the web 16 in the previous embodiment shown in Fig. 1 A.
  • each of the first and second ferrule components 12' and 14' are provided with open half grooves 18', which combine to form a circular closed groove to retain the bare termination section of the optical fibers 20 (as more clearly shown in the sectional view in FIG. 4C).
  • the surface features of the opposing sides of the first and second ferrule components 12' and 14' may be similar to those of the ferrule assembly 10 in the previous embodiment shown in FIG. 1A.
  • recesses 3" and 34' are provided at the opposing sides 22' and 24' of the first and second ferrule components 12' and 14' to define a space to receive the sleeve 31 of the fiber ribbon 30.
  • Raised flanges 26' may also be provided along the lateral edges of the first and second ferrule components 12' and 14'.
  • FIG. 4 allows a greater degree of accuracy in the alignment of optical fibers 20 by allowing the grooves 18' in surface 23' and the matching grooves 18' in surface 25' to be formed with a single stamping tool.
  • the punch or die
  • the punch can form both sets of grooves 18' on the first and second ferrule components 12' and 14', using a single set of features that are manufactured on the face of a punch.
  • the alignment and pitch between these features is inherently matched between the two opposing surfaces 23 ' and 25' when folded about the webs 16', with corresponding grooves on the first ferrule component 12' matching with the corresponding grooves on the second ferrule component 14' (e.g., groove number 1 in the first ferrule component 12' is always matched with groove number 1 in the second ferrule component 14', groove number 2 matched with groove number 2, and so on.)
  • the webs 16' joining the two ferrule components 12' and 14' assure that when the ferrule assembly is used (e.g., deployed in the field), the first and second ferrule components 12' and 14' are always mated pairs so that in high- volume production, ferrule components produced from different tools and different production conditions/parameters are never mixed.
  • the above-described ferrule assemblies are made of a metal/alloy material (which may be a malleable stock material suitable for stamping to form the above described features of the ferrule assemblies), which may be chosen to have high stiffness (e.g., stainless steel), chemical inertness (e.g., titanium), high temperature stability (nickel alloy), low thermal expansion (e.g., Invar), or to match thermal expansion to other materials (e.g., Kovar for matching glass).
  • the ferrule assemblies may be made of polymers.
  • the ferrule assembly in accordance with the present invention further improves the current ferrule designs, which can be incorporated in an optical fiber connector to result in low insertion loss and low return loss, and which provides ease of use and high reliability with low environmental sensitivity, and which can be fabricated at low cost.
  • the one-piece ferrule assembly design facilitates ease of use to affix the end sections of an array of optical fibers of a fiber ribbon to a ferrule (in this case a ferrule formed by a ferrule assembly in accordance with the present invention).
  • the ferrule thus formed by the one-piece ferrule assembly can be adapted for use in an optical fiber connector.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates an example of an optical fiber connector 1400 for a cable 1410 containing optical fibers 1412, which may be similar to connectors commercialized by other providers, which incorporates the inventive ferrule assembly 1402 (which may take the form disclosed above in connection with FIGS. 1-3) instead of a prior art ferrule.
  • the connector includes an assembly of components consisting of the ferrule assembly 1402 (as will be further elaborated below), a ferrule housing 1404, a cable boot 1406, alignment guide pins 1408, and other hardware provided within and/or outside the housing (e.g., cable strain relief, crimp, biasing spring, spacer, etc.).
  • the ferrule assembly in accordance with the present invention may be made backward compatible to be used to replace the existing ferrules in the optical fiber connectors offered by other providers.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un ensemble virole pour un connecteur de fibres optiques qui possède un premier élément de virole (12) possédant une surface structurée (23) définissant des caractéristiques (18) pour un alignement d'une section d'une fibre optique, et un second élément de virole (14) qui est accouplé au premier élément de virole par une toile (16), la toile étant souple pour permettre le repliement de la toile pour replier le second élément de virole sur la rainure dans le premier élément de virole. Les caractéristiques d'alignement optique comprennent une ou plusieurs rainures (18) ouvertes pour accueillir une section nue d'une fibre optique. La section de la fibre optique est retenue dans la rainure entre les deux éléments de virole.
PCT/US2014/049316 2013-07-31 2014-07-31 Ensemble virole de fibre optique repliable Ceased WO2015017739A1 (fr)

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US61/860,863 2013-07-31

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TW201520624A (zh) * 2013-11-29 2015-06-01 Hon Hai Prec Ind Co Ltd 光纖耦合連接器組件
US9482820B1 (en) 2015-12-29 2016-11-01 International Business Machines Corporation Connecting mid-board optical modules
AU2017232626B2 (en) * 2016-03-15 2021-10-28 Cudoquanta Florida, Inc. Optical alignment of an optical subassembly to an optoelectronic device
CN118099791A (zh) * 2019-04-03 2024-05-28 爱沛股份有限公司 连接器及其制造方法

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US5390270A (en) * 1989-11-28 1995-02-14 Kel Corporation Optical fiber ferrule assemblies
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US7311449B2 (en) 2002-08-16 2007-12-25 Nanoprecision Products, Inc. High precision optoelectronic components
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US20120257860A1 (en) 2011-04-05 2012-10-11 Nanoprecision Products, Inc. Optical fiber connector ferrule having open fiber clamping grooves
WO2014011283A2 (fr) 2012-04-11 2014-01-16 Nanoprecision Products, Inc. Ferrule de connecteur de fibres optiques ayant une surface d'alignement externe courbe

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US5390270A (en) * 1989-11-28 1995-02-14 Kel Corporation Optical fiber ferrule assemblies
EP0514722A1 (fr) * 1991-05-13 1992-11-25 Nippon Telegraph And Telephone Corporation Fiche pour connecteur optique multi-fibres avece faibles pertes de réflexion et d'insertion
DE4423842A1 (de) * 1993-07-07 1995-03-16 Hirschmann Richard Gmbh Co Steckverbinder für Lichtwellenleiter und Formeinsatz zur Herstellung desselben
US7311449B2 (en) 2002-08-16 2007-12-25 Nanoprecision Products, Inc. High precision optoelectronic components
US7343770B2 (en) 2002-08-16 2008-03-18 Nanoprecision Products, Inc. Stamping system for manufacturing high tolerance parts
US20120257860A1 (en) 2011-04-05 2012-10-11 Nanoprecision Products, Inc. Optical fiber connector ferrule having open fiber clamping grooves
WO2014011283A2 (fr) 2012-04-11 2014-01-16 Nanoprecision Products, Inc. Ferrule de connecteur de fibres optiques ayant une surface d'alignement externe courbe

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US9690054B2 (en) 2017-06-27

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